SOME 120,000 devotees of Saint Michael the Archangel packed the streets of Iligan City for the annual ‘Pagpakanaug’ ritual last Saturday, September 20.

The rite, which involves the lowering of the patron saint’s image, signals the start of the city’s month-long fiesta celebration.

Throngs of worshipers gathered at dawn, filling St. Michael’s Cathedral to capacity and spilling into the surrounding streets for a mass and the subsequent ritual.

VIVA SAN MIGUEL. Devotees fill the streets of Iligan City for the ‘Pagpakanaug’ rite, a procession honoring the city’s patron, Saint Michael the Archangel. Photo courtesy Bonita L. Ermac

Three of the city’s main cultural groups — the Maranaos, Christians, and Higaonons — performed traditional dances in tribute.

Lourdes Borres, a 67-year-old devotee, watched the procession from the roadside, clutching small statues of Señor San Miguel and Santo Niño. She shared that her family has honored the saint for generations.

“Gaan kaayo ni siya. Basta moduol lang gyud sa iyaha, masulbad ang problema,” Borres said, adding that “whatever we ask for, he will really help.”

VIVA SAN MIGUEL. Devotees fill the streets of Iligan City for the ‘Pagpakanaug’ rite, a procession honoring the city’s patron, Saint Michael the Archangel. Photo courtesy Bonita L. Ermac

She said her father was a devotee, and the family followed in his footsteps.

Borres feels the patron saint’s protection over her family.

“You know, my Santo Niño and Señor San Miguel, when we leave the house, even if the doors are left open, they are the ones guarding it. San Miguel is really powerful in helping us,” she added.

VIVA SAN MIGUEL. Devotees fill the streets of Iligan City for the ‘Pagpakanaug’ rite, a procession honoring the city’s patron, Saint Michael the Archangel. Photo courtesy Bonita L. Ermac

She is grateful to have lived to see this fiesta and that her children and grandchildren are healthy.

“I entrust everything to him,” she said.

Meanwhile, Maj. Zandrex Panolong, spokesperson for the Iligan City Police Office, estimated that the number of attendees has increased annually. This year’s ‘Pagpakanaug’ crowd has been estimated at 120,000 people.

Panolong said police ensured public safety during the event.

“We are ensuring personal safety. The crowd is very tight, so it is forbidden to hide one’s identity — like wearing caps, jackets, and backpacks. If someone brings these, the police will really apprehend them,” he said.

The feast of Señor San Miguel is celebrated annually on September 29. The ‘Pagpakanaug’ rite is the first major highlight, marking the beloved patron’s welcome.